VIDEO: SCCC to offer classes in Albany County Building

Denise Murphy McGraw, chairperson of the Schenectady County Community College's Board of Trustees, left, and Albany County Executive Dan McCoy, right hold up an SCCC t-shirt during a Thursday press conference announcing that the college will offer classes on the second floor of the Albany County Office Building beginning this fall.

ALBANY -- Starting this fall, Schenectady County Community College will be offering classes on the second floor of the county building in downtown, officials said Thursday.

Albany County Executive Dan McCoy said the announcement would be the first of many, setting the tone for more collaborations between area entities and local communities.

"County borders no longer exist," said McCoy. "We have to look at what all communities have to offer, stop duplicating services and form partnerships to utilize the services," he said.

Details of the partnership are still being worked out between the county and the college regarding a lease, said SCCC President Quintin Bullock. And, he said, the college has not yet decided on the courses that will be taught in the 10,000-square-foot space. Topics of possible classes being reviewed for the site include management and casino/gaming.

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"This will conveniently maximize learning opportunities for local residents to achieve success," said Bullock.

He said about 15 percent of the college's enrollment comes from Albany County. Bullock also noted that SCCC officials expect the college's total enrollment to increase 1 to 2 percent during the next five years. This is in contrast to Hudson Valley Community College, which recently laid off or reduced hours for 28 non-faculty staff members, due to decreasing enrollment.

McCoy said that the partnership with SCCC had been in the works for three years and he had been working on finalizing the agreement since he was elected in 2011. If a success, McCoy said programs could eventually be expanded to include HVCC, but nothing yet had been discussed.

"The ink is not even dry on the memorandum of understanding and we're already talking about expansion since there has been a great reaction so far from students," said McCoy of the agreement.

Students will be able to enroll in classes at the site in the fall.

The space is currently being used for the county executive's offices. McCoy said they are still determining where he'll move his office.

About 1,000 students are expected to take classes in the space.

While parking will be available at the nearby Albany Hilton and Times Union Center parking garages, registered community college students will qualify for free transportation through CDTA. McCoy noted at the press conference that it takes about 20 minutes to get from SCCC to downtown Albany, and there is a bus stop just out front of the 112 State St. county build¬ing where classes will be held.

While it was unclear how much would be invested into the space or where funding would come from, Bullock said they would look into various funding opportunities, including grants.

"This is not just about Albany downtown, it's about the Capital District," said Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings, referring to the fact that many area residents would be taking classes at the site.